Abebe, Kokiso (2006) Common Mole_Rat, Tachyoryctes splendens (Ruppell, 1836) Distribution and its Impacts in Agricultural Fields in Angecha, Centeral Ethiopia. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.
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Abstract
This study deals with the current distribution, abundance and impacts of mole rats in agricultural fields in Angacha. It was carried out from August 2005 to April 2006 covering the wet and dry seasons. The mole rat is the main rodent pest on Enset and potatoes in Angacha though its effect is minor in other crops. Direct total count was carried out from fresh surface signs (mounds) to estimate abundance and distribution of mole rats. Vector gopher traps and conical “Yeshibowotimed” were set to serve as snap and live traps. Stomach content analysis was carried out to determine food content of mole rat. These were applied in randomly selected four sites representing the “Dega” and “Woina-dega” climatic zones. Total counts using traps by digging and “Yeshibowotimed” catches depicted that “Dega” climatic zone sites Ls and Sb have more mole rat population than the “Woina-dega” climatic zone sites An-01 and K. Sb harbored 15 individuals per ha while An-01 7 individuals. The male to female sex ratio was 2.1:1.0, which was statistically significant, but the variation is similar in all sites. Common mole rats preferred open grasslands adjacent to crop fields and extend their foraging tunnels to nearby crop fields that are not far away. Fertile, well-drained soil and richness of food resources are the main factors for reduction in the length of burrow system ranging from 10.2 – 18.6 m. Although the animal minimizes expenditure of energy for burrowing in areas of food resources, the bolthole is long to protect itself from danger. Loss on Enset plantation is about 12% for the whole district. This is high where the plant requires 5 to 7 years to mature for food processing. This loss in such densely populated, with large family size and reduced farmland is high. Devising proper control and sustainable management on major and economically important rodent pest on Enset is crucial.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Mole Rat, Tachyoryctes splendens, Agricultural fields, pest, Enset, |
| Subjects: | Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology Q Science > QL Zoology S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General) S Agriculture > SB Plant culture |
| Divisions: | Africana |
| Depositing User: | Selom Ghislain |
| Date Deposited: | 25 Jun 2018 10:43 |
| Last Modified: | 25 Jun 2018 10:43 |
| URI: | http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/4247 |
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